M8 XI

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M8 XI
The latest Super Integrated amplifier in Musical Fidelity’s long and illustrious history of high-powered designs (which started with the A1000 back in 1990) is a high-end marvel that combines masses of power with true audiophile sonics and ultimate convenience.

In essence, the M8xi is a separate DAC, pre-amplifier and two monoblock power amplifiers housed within one large chassis. With a development logic that saw the design team approach each of the three sections indpendently, the M8xi is capable of perfoming to an exceptional standard in each department.

The entire signal path employs a low-feedback configuration, as with previous Musical Fidelity designs. However, with the M8xi changes have been made to achieve higher power, lower distortion and better overall sound quality. The bridged output stage efficiency has been increased, yielding about 10% more power while maintaining managable voltages on the supply rails; and the whole driver stage has been designed to operate largely in pure Class A. The result of this combination is a wide sound stage that allows both micro and macro dynamics to have an impact. Vocals have more subtlety, detail and presence. Large scale music has a depth, width and incredibly dynamic presentation. In essence, the M8xi sounds like a small Class A amplifier but with huge power.

The most striking aspect of the M8xi design is the high power output, generously rated at 550W into 8Ω (870W into 4Ω and Peak 1.6kW into 2Ω). The purpose of this power is to drive almost any speaker available on the commercial market today with comfort and control, regardless of bigger and/or insensitive designs. The output devices themselves are high-stability Darlington pairs, and they are capable of delivering such high output largely thanks to the generously specified transformers. The power amplifier is laid out in true dual-mono with dedicated power supplies for each channel, for absolute signal integrity.

The pre-amplifier of the M8xi is designed just as a dedicated pre-amplifier would be, largely operating in Class A and running off its own independent power supply. Featuring both XLR and RCA inputs, it employs low-noise op-amps in all sections for maximum signal integrity. The laser-trimmed volume control has a precision-matched position attenuator, which guarantees precise imaging and soundstage integrity whether being played quiet or loud. As is common amongst other Musical Fidelity amplifiers, the M8xi also boasts a switchable Home Theatre (HT) input. This input couples directly to the power amplifier stage, allowing for a suitably specified AV processor to control the home cinema volume levels while benefiting from the sonic character of the Musical Fidelity.

The M8xi also features XLR and RCA balanced outputs, for wider system applications. There are variable outputs for connecting to additional external amplifiers, as well as an RCA fixed stereo output for analogue recording or “tape out” applications, such as connecting an external headphone amplifier.

The M8xi also boasts a five input DAC, powered from its own dedicated power supply. Based around the Texas Instruments PCM5242 low-distortion and low-noise DAC chip, the M8xi has two coaxial (S/PDIF), two optical (S/PDIF) and one asynchronous USB Type-B input. The coaxial and the USB inputs are capable of supporting hi-res audio streams up-to 24-bit / 192kHz, and the optical input is capable of supporting up-to 24-bit / 96kHz. For maximal performance, all data streams are up-sampled and re-clocked by an internal converter to reduce jitter and remove unwanted artefacts in the sound.

The M8xi was a huge technical challenge, but thanks to an extensive R&D process it delivers in all aspects with its rich sound and extensive feature set. Finished in an industrial chassis with an anodised aluminium front panel and large side-mounted heatsinks, it is a successful continuation of Musical Fidelity’s history of producing true Super Integrated amplifiers.

This product is no longer available to order and will not be coming back into stock.

In Stock products are those that are currently held in stock at our Oxfordshire warehouse. This stock status is updated regularly but is subject to change at very short notice.

Products that are Awaiting Stock are items that we would normally carry on stock at our Oxfordshire warehouse, but are currently unavailable. Chances are there is already more on the way, but if you would like a more accurate availability status please feel free to Contact Us.

Urgent order items are products that we do not normally carry on stock, but they are typically held on stock by our European suppliers. Depending on availability, we will seek to order these products quickly, when we have an enquiry. They can therefore be subject to quicker availability times than "Special Order" products.

Special Order items are those that are most often built to order. For these items, we tend to experience longer lead times as we negotiate them into the production line with our suppliers.

M8 XI

RRP: £6799.00

The latest Super Integrated amplifier in Musical Fidelity’s long and illustrious history of high-powered designs (which started with the A1000 back in 1990) is a high-end marvel that combines masses of power with true audiophile sonics and ultimate convenience.

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Paul Miller , Hi-Fi News , July 2020

Musical Fidelity M8 XI Review

"Most striking is this amplifier’s speed as transient details fly from the speakers with a fleetness that you’d perhaps not anticipate from a great lump of an amplifier."

See full review

Hi-Fi World , December 2020

Power House

"Crystal clear, fast and powerful. Strong yet tight deep bass. With complementary digital sound, it’s nothing other than impressive."

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Jason Kennedy , Hi-Fi+ , February 2022

Musical Fidelity M8 XI Integrated Amplifier

"Those Watts count for something, producing a sense of headroom that you rarely encounter and which translates into prodigious bass."

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Hi-Fi+ , 2022

Highly Commended Integrated Amplifier

"This is not bludgeoning power either, it’s articulate and able to respond to the nuances of the material with remarkable speed."

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M8xi EISA award , 2020

Best High End Integrated Amplifier 2020-2021

"The M8 XI sounds effortless, and fluid. Large scale music has depth and width paired with an incredible dynamic presentation. It sounds like a superb small Class A amplifier but with limitless headroom."

David Price , StereoNet Applause , June 2024

Stereonet reviews the Musical Fidelity M8xi integrated amplifier

"The soundstage is cavernous and really is quite a thing to hear. It treats even large, current-hungry loudspeakers like they're toy dolls and plays with them with absolutely no fear"

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format_quoteHenley Says...

The M8 range, being the top of the M-series of HiFi electronics from Musical Fidelity, is a seriously impressive range of models. Keeping the toned-down aesthetic consistent throughout the M-series that allow them to be easily incorporated into any HiFi system, as well as boasting trickle-down technology for the best of the best available from MF, the M6 range really do deliver when it comes to reliable and high-quality audio performance. 

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Nick Fuller Sales Director

If you are interested in the M8 XI and would like to know more, or are building a high-end system and would like some advice, reach out to one of our expert team today.

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  • PDF | 417 Kb | Hi-Fi News Review

  • PDF | 913 Kb | Hi-Fi Plus Award

  • PDF | 811 Kb | Hi-Fi Plus Review

  • PDF | 2 Mb | Hi-Fi World Review

  • PDF | 3 Mb | Product Info Sheet

  • PDF | 1 Mb | User Guide

  • PNG | 2 Mb | Stock Photo (Black)

  • PNG | 10 Mb | Stock Photo (Rear)

  • PNG | 7 Mb | Stock Photo (Silver)